BAT TIME
by Ruth Horowitz & illustrated by Susan Avishai
Horowitz's first book warmly depicts one family's unusual bedtime ritual: Leila looks forward to her favorite time of day- -after bath and book and before tucking in, when she and Daddy watch the wonderful bats come out for the night, whizzing through fascinating acrobatics as they capture mosquitoes and other insects. Avishai's realistic, well-observed illustrations nicely reflect the story's wholesome good humor. A judiciously understated plea for this useful, misunderstood creature. (Picture book. 4-7)